Blue Water Festival Is Back This July

The Blue Water Festival returns to downtown Port Huron July 15-18, bringing four days of family-friendly activities, live entertainment, community celebrations, and waterfront excitement to the heart of the Blue Water Area.

Published: Sunday, July 12, 2026 9:00 am

The festivities begin even before the festival officially opens with the return of the beloved Set Sail for Autism and More Race on Sunday, July 12. Hosted in partnership with the Port Huron Yacht Club, Port Huron Area School District, WPHM, and the Port Huron Downtown Development Authority, the event provides a memorable sailing experience for students with special needs and their families while raising funds to support local special education programs.

The official festival kicks off on Wednesday, July 15, with the annual Blue Water Festival Parade, presented by the Port Huron Rotary Club. This year promises colorful floats, including the brand new City of Port Huron designed float, community groups, marching bands, and plenty of hometown spirit.

Family Night Returns Thursday: On Thursday, July 16, families are invited downtown for Family Night, beginning at 4 p.m. along the downtown corridor. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of food trucks, street vendors, and family attractions, including:

Aerial ropes course
70-foot inflatable ninja course
Little Skipper’s Boat Races
Face painting
Gaming trailer
Paul Mitchell Hair Braiding
Kid Zone activities
NEW Captain’s Cove 9-hole putt-putt golf course
NEW two-hour foam party

Live music will fill the waterfront throughout the evening, including performances at the Port Huron Yacht Club and the Grand River stage. The main stage entertainment features Elektrik Dream, one of the Midwest's premier 1980s party bands, performing from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The evening concludes with the spectacular Moses Roses Drone Show at 10 p.m. over Desmond Landing, lighting up the night sky with a dazzling aerial display.

Friday Night Celebration: The festival continues on Friday, July 17, with Boat Night, celebrating Port Huron's rich maritime heritage. The evening's headline entertainment will be Fool House, the ultimate 1990s party band, taking the main stage from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for a high-energy performance packed with favorite hits from the decade.

Sailboats, Classic Cars, and Live Music on Saturday: On Saturday, July 18, sailboats depart for Lake Huron to begin the highly anticipated race portion of the festival. As the boats head to the lake, downtown Port Huron transitions into Keels & Wheels, a classic car show running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Presented by Moran Automotive of Fort Gratiot and organized by Shiny Rust Promotions in collaboration with the Port Huron Lions Club and Port Huron Downtown Development Authority, the event will feature classic vehicles, live music, food vendors, and a special tribute honoring our armed forces. Following the car show, visitors can continue the fun at the official after-party hosted by The Wrigley Center.